this has worked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this has worked" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something has been successful or effective in the past and continues to be so in the present. Example: "After implementing the new strategy, I can confidently say that this has worked for our team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Somehow this has worked.

The Economist

This has worked well.

The New York Times

Until recently this has worked.

The Economist

This has worked for salt.

The Economist

This has worked before".

The Guardian - Sport

So far, little of this has worked.

The New York Times - Tech

This has worked in the past.

The Economist

In one sense, this has worked.

The Economist

And yet none of this has worked.

The New York Times

This has worked out pretty well.

The New York Times

In some, such as Malaysia, this has worked.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this has worked" to succinctly convey the effectiveness of a method, strategy, or solution, especially when continuing into the present. For instance, "We implemented the new software last quarter, and "this has worked" wonders in streamlining our workflow."

Common error

Avoid using "this has worked" when referring to something that was only effective in the past and is no longer the case. In such cases, "this worked" (simple past) would be more appropriate. For example, instead of saying "Although the initial marketing campaign was successful, this has worked only for a short time.", it's better to say "Although the initial marketing campaign was successful, this worked only for a short time."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this has worked" functions as a statement of efficacy, indicating that a particular action, method, or strategy has been successful. This is evident in the numerous examples provided by Ludwig, where the phrase is used to affirm the positive outcomes of various endeavors.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this has worked" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression for indicating the success and continued effectiveness of a strategy, method, or solution. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions primarily to convey efficacy and is frequently found in news and media, formal business contexts, and scientific discussions. While generally neutral in register, the phrase can be adapted for more formal or informal settings by choosing appropriate alternatives. Common pitfalls include misusing the tense when referring to past, non-continuing successes. When used correctly, "this has worked" effectively communicates that something has proven beneficial and remains so.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this proved effective

Emphasizes the demonstration of effectiveness, shifting the focus to evidence.

this achieved its purpose

Emphasizes the fulfillment of an intended goal or objective.

this accomplished the goal

Similar to 'achieved its purpose', but with a stronger emphasis on the goal itself.

this was successful

States a clear outcome of success, often in a specific instance.

this has been fruitful

Highlights the productive nature of the action or strategy.

this yielded results

Focuses on the outcomes or consequences produced by the action.

this hit the mark

Indicates a precise achievement of a target or standard.

this bore fruit

A more figurative way of saying that efforts have been successful.

this paid off

Implies that effort or investment led to a beneficial result.

this delivered the goods

An informal expression suggesting that something has met expectations or requirements.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "this has worked" to sound more formal?

In more formal contexts, you might use phrases such as "this proved effective", "this was successful", or "this yielded positive results". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "this has worked" grammatically correct?

Yes, "this has worked" is grammatically correct. It uses the present perfect tense to indicate that something started in the past and continues to have an effect in the present. According to Ludwig AI, this expression is correct and widely applicable.

What's the difference between "this worked" and "this has worked"?

"This worked" (simple past) refers to a past action that is now finished, while "this has worked" (present perfect) implies that the past action still has relevance or effect in the present. For instance, "this worked last year" suggests it was only effective then, but "this has worked since last year" indicates ongoing success.

What are some informal alternatives to "this has worked"?

Informal alternatives include phrases like "this did the trick", "this paid off", or simply "this worked out". These options are suitable for casual conversations or less formal writing.